Changing mobile number but keeping contract

[Anonymous]

Hi, 

I have an account with O2, but reception indoors is really really bad so I'm thinking of moving to a different provider. I would like to keep my number but I'm quite early in my 2 year contract so it would be a waste to move now and pay for the remainder of the period. My question is, can I port my number from O2 to a different provider, and get a new number (or port an existing one from another network) for my contract so that I can be with another provider and keep my number, whereas my O2 contract will still be running but on a different number and I can give it to a family member who is a low phone user so wouldn't be affected much by the poor indoor reception.

If that's not possible, what advice would the kind members here have for me?

Thanks in advance

[MI5]

Unfortunately that's not possible as the number is your account. Once you move the number the account is closed and that generates your final (large in your case) bill.
All I can suggest for now is that you put your O2 phone on divert to another mobile when indoors, at home.
Of course there is Tugo you can try but this has variable results too.....

http://www.o2.co.uk/apps/tu-go

[Anonymous]

O2 are improving their network infrastructure.

http://www.o2.co.uk/connectivity/network-coverage/the-next-big-thing

You could ;

Pay off the contract and PAC. You could sell your current phone to raise funds towards the bill.

Let your family member use the contract and they pay the bill.

Then Open up another contract with another network ,and new number.

To check in their coverage obtain some payg SIM cards to check out their coverage where you live , work and Commute.

Unlock your phone for free so you can use alternative sims and it also improves the street value of the phone.

https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/help/help?qid=1&q1=2&route=unlocking&case=Handset%20Unlocking%20Form

Take care.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately, I don't think paying off the final bill is worth it, since I have over 20 months left on my contract.

Tugo looks like a nice option, what are the variable results on it? I will try it out.

Speaking to others, it does seem to be a common problem with O2 that their indoor reception is poor. Has anyone had any experience with O2 in terms of refund, or signal booster, or other solutions for the indoor reception problem. I know they say they are improving their coverage, but that isn't set to be completed until 2017! I don't know when the improvement will affect my area, and if it will make a difference to me or not.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Has the signal always been poor or is it something that has recently happened?

[Anonymous]

Tugo is still in its infancy.

Some like it and some don't.

Take a look in that part of the forum to see what issues people have had.

Useful alternatives are viber and what's app but do require the recipient to have these downloaded too.

You can even make calls through Facebook. All work off wifi


I cannot use it due to being in payg.

O2 have signal boosters but for some odd reason they are only for business customers. A subject of much debate !

[Anonymous]

unfortunately it's always been poor. I thought I could manage it by staying next to a window but that doesn't always work, and I've also come to realise that many times people try to call me but they can't get through to me because i have no reception (I actually live in the middle of London!!!) and o2 have stopped sending me auto replies when I miss a call 😞

[MI5]

Tugo is the consumer version of a "boostbox".
I'm sure it will be great once all the bugs are ironed out and there is a team working on it and a support board on here http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/TU-Go/bd-p/555
To get missed call alerts you have to dial 901 and it's one of the options but you can't have voicemail and call alerts on at the same time.